ur and a coward, for the letters are a woman's--whom he
neither knows nor has the right to know."

If he had hoped to force a personal quarrel and trust his life to the
chance of a single antagonist, he was disappointed, for although his
unexpected attitude had produced some effect among the group, and even
attracted the attention of the men at the windows, Harrison strode
deliberately towards him.

"That kin wait," he said; "jest now we propose to take you and your
letters and drop 'em and you outer this yer township of Injin Springs.
You kin take 'em back to the woman or critter you got 'em of. But we
kalkilate you're a little too handy and free in them sorter things to
teach school round yer, and we kinder allow we don't keer to hev our
gals and boys eddicated up to your high-toned standard. So ef you choose
to kem along easy we'll mak' you comf'ble on a hoss we've got waitin'
outside, an' escort you across the line. Ef you don't--we'll take you
anyway."

The master cast a rapid glance around him. In his quickness of
perception he had already noted that the led horse among the cavalcade
was fastened by a lariat to one of the riders so that escape by flight
was impossible, and that he had not a single weapon to defend himself
with or even provoke, in his desperation, the struggle that could
forestall ignominy by death. Nothing was left him but his voice, clear
and trenchant as he faced them.

"You are twelve to one," he said calmly, "but if there is a single man
among you who dare step forward and accuse me of what you only TOGETHER
dare do, I will tell him he is a liar and a coward, and stand here ready
to make it good against him. You come here as judge and jury condemning
me without trial, and confronting me with no accusers; you come here as
lawless avengers of your honor, and you dare not give ME the privilege
of as lawlessly defending my own."

There was another slight murmur among the men, but the leader moved
impatiently forward. "We've had enough o' your preachin': we want YOU,"
he said roughly. "Come."

"Stop," said a dull voice.

It came from a mute figure which had remained motionless among the
others. Every eye was turned upon it as it rose and lazily pushed the
cloth from its face.

"Hiram McKinstry!" said the others in mingled tones of astonishment and
suspicion.

"That's me!" said McKinstry, coming forward with heavy deliberation. "I
joined this yer delegation at the crossroads instead o' m